The abandoned warehouse fell silent.
Rain drummed against the rusted roof while James stood with his arms folded, refusing to meet the hooded man's eyes.
"You've done everything I've asked," the stranger said smoothly. "You've stayed close to Ivy. You've watched her grow."
James clenched his jaw.
"I didn't agree to hurt her."
The man laughed—a quiet, chilling sound.
"No. You agreed to save your family."
James's head snapped up.
The stranger lowered his hood.
Silver hair framed a face that looked almost ageless. His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, and a jagged scar stretched from his temple to his collarbone.
"My name," he said, "is Malachar."
The name alone seemed to make the air colder.
"I was there twelve years ago."
James felt his blood freeze.
"You..."
"Yes." Malachar smiled. "I watched Alpha Dominik and Luna Elira die."
"You killed them?"
"I arranged it."
James staggered backward.
"You monster..."
Malachar merely tilted his head.
"They possessed something the world should never have had."
"What?"
"The Elemental Heart."
James frowned.
Malachar stepped closer.
"It isn't an object."
His smile widened.
"It's Ivy."
Crimson Dusk Pack
At the same moment, Ivy doubled over in the middle of the courtyard.
A violent pulse exploded through her body.
The ground cracked beneath her feet.
Flames erupted around her before vanishing into swirling water.
Wind screamed through the trees while vines burst from the earth.
Every element answered her.
Warriors stumbled backward in shock.
Jayden reached her first.
"Ivy!"
Her glowing violet eyes snapped open.
For just a second...
They weren't violet.
They were silver.
Jake froze.
"No..."
His voice barely came out.
"The seal..."
Another pulse tore through the courtyard.
The ancient medallion hanging around Ivy's neck shattered into dozens of pieces.
Jake's face drained of color.
"The seal our parents made..."
"...is breaking."
Somewhere Far Away
Deep beneath the mountains, hidden beneath centuries of stone, a massive pair of glowing eyes slowly opened.
Chains thicker than tree trunks rattled.
A deep voice echoed through the darkness.
"The heir..."
Silence.
"...has awakened."
The mountain trembled.
Birds exploded into the sky.
Across every werewolf territory, wolves lifted their heads and howled without knowing why.
Something ancient...
had just felt Ivy awaken.
Back at the Pack
Ivy collapsed into Jayden's arms.
Her breathing slowly steadied.
"I..." she whispered weakly.
"I heard someone."
Jake knelt beside her.
"What did they say?"
She looked between her brother and Jayden.
Her voice shook.
"They didn't call me Ivy."
She swallowed hard.
"They called me..."
"...Alpha."
I'm back guys I know it's been a while well school and other things has been keeping me occupied but I'm back and the story might end soon bye